If chipped toenails and chapped heels have you wishing for the fur
of a hobbits feet, don’t kick the bucket. Feet get pounded in
heels and tortured by the cold so they need extra care during winter.
Start preparing for the toeless and open strap shoes of spring and
summer now. A little pedicare is great for the soles and might do
the rest of you some good, too. Naturally, steps must be taken to
achieve fit, flirty feet.
Step 1 is relax. There are 7,000 nerve endings in each foot, which
is 7,000 reasons to massage them. Pamper feet, legs and thighs with
every shower or bath using lush, long, strokes. It pumps up blood
circulation, promotes lymphatic drainage, reduces bloating in tired
ankles and relaxes the whole body. Tepid baths are best for winter
skin. Begin the massage at the tip of the toes, drawing little circles
on the ball of each toe and then stretching each one out one by one.
Rotate fingers into the balls of each foot and drag the knuckles over
the arch. Heels need cradling and coddling and ankles respond to gentle
upward strokes.
Calves and thighs hold a lot of body tension. Standing in the bath
(ignore any mirror), give legs and thighs an oil massage with a cotton
face towel or large sea sponge. Add droplets of bath oil after entering
the bath. Once the body has absorbed water moisture, oil is more easily
locked in. Cellulite is best battled with massage. Vigorous upward
strokes on the bottom and thighs aid circulation, and are a friendly
way to fight the fat wars.
Step 2 is start sloughing. Exfoliate gently or radically, depending
on skin sensitivity. Feet respond well to a rubbing good session with
a pumice stone or an extra -gritty foot scrub. Like massage, exfoliation
revs up the skin and blood—energizing body parts grown sluggish
from sitting. To get feet sandal-ready, work on hard heels and calluses
every day and be careful to protect them from unwanted corns with
comfortable shoes. Shaving legs is at least an excellent way to slough
off dead skin cells and good preparation for moisturizing and sunless
tanning.
Step 3 is replenish. Smear and slather on all the gooey moisture
in reach. Freezing temperatures and dry forced air turn skin into
an epidermal Mojave Desert. Apply foot balm in a thick layer and then
go to bed with socks. Body lotion goes on the shins, thighs and even
derriere before squirming into pajamas. (Find one that doesn’t
smell like orange muffins or mango butter or you’ll go to bed
hungry!) Rub a rich cream or balm onto knees, too.
Step 4 is stay buff. Buffing toenails is a nice break from nail polish.
A paraffin pedicure will lock in moisture and leave feet baby soft.
Persistent home grooming of footsies makes the occasional spa pedicure
more affordable. Use a classic big buffer for smoothing over corns
and stubborn heels. Keep it at the edge of the tub and whittle away.
Step 5 is fake the tan. Brown legs look slimmer but for heaven's
sake don't get the sun involved. Fake it! Gels and tanning lotions
provide quick bronzing, but tinted legs can strike a strange note
if the rest remains pale. Try a bronzing dust on face and shoulders
to match.
Step 6 is be firm – with yourself. Firm legs are impossible
to fake so take six weeks of concentrated lunging, walking and stretching
to shift those spongy areas. Skip rope for 15 minutes three times
a week, take the stairs once a day or walk half an hour. Mini leg-lifts
(front, back and to the side) for two sessions of 20 reps each four
times a week gives great results.
But, in the event of acute lethargy, just polish those pretty toes
cherry red. Add a sassy walk, go forth, and strut!
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